LWM FESTIVE ROUNDUP - 2026

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LWM Festive Roundup - 2026

Like death, taxes and your heating packing up just as winter hits, the Christmas single is a reliable feature of life for us all. 2026 is no exception and my inbox has had a steady flurry of festive ditties arrive in it over the last few weeks. As is now tradition, I have compiled a review of these to see if there are any worth adding into your yuletide playlist. 

Meghan Trainor - Gifts For Me (Epic Records) 

Ozempic poster girl Meghan Trainor is up first with her ode to capitalism 'Gifts For Me' which has that very sleek production so popular in modern Christmas tunes. In truth, this is actually an ode to self-love with some festive chimes, swooning strings and a horn section that really hits the spot so expect this to pop up in a straight-to-Netflix festive movie next year. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/meghantrainorsongs


The Brotherhat - My Christmas Day

Featuring three members of Supertramp, the Brotherhat have penned 'My Christmas Day' with some musical pedigree behind them. A music box intro gives way to Santa's laugh and then a wintry melody that would fit in alongside Paul McCartney or Shakin' Stevens. This is a gentle, fun and charming Christmas song that has all the right elements as well as a sprinkling of festive magic - and a slightly dubious impression of Santa sounding like he's had one too many Sherries. 


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Schick Sisters - When It Snows

This is the lead track from a whole festive album from Austrian trio Schick Sisters and 'When It Snows' suggests these ladies have a real handle on the whole Christmas vibe. Gathered around the piano in their sparkliest dresses, the sisters settle into to the kind of gentle melody that just begs for snow to fall softly outside while a fire crackles in the corner. The vocals are fittingly soothing and the harmonies are softer than Santa's beard so sit back, relax, and enjoy the saxophone solo.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/schicksisters

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The Popravinas - There's No Sense In Waiting 
For Christmas To Buy Me Some Christmas Cheer

Winning the prize for the longest title of the season (possibly the year) is 'There's No Sense In Waiting For Christmas To But Me Some Christmas Cheer' by Santa Monica band the Popravinas. The song itself is a loungy, late night jam with super chilled guitars, deadpan vocals and a shuffled beat that mirrors the footsteps of someone reluctantly making their way home for the holidays from the last open bar in town. There's an element of Weezer to this but also a touch of Dick Dale guitars if he'd smoked a bong and put some Kung Fu on in the background. Sounds like a good Christmas to me...




Kieran Doyle - Everybody Dance (It's Christmas)

Huddersfield based Kieran Doyle isn't messing about with his festive offering as he launches into the upbeat acoustic strum of 'Everybody Dance (It's Christmas)'. This feels like a busked track that could be belted out on the high street or the corner of a Christmas market with a boozy sing-a-long always on the cards. Fans of the Gallagher brothers or Paul Heaton will love the honest charm of this one and special mention to the guitar sound which is bone rattlingly good. 


Band of Gaels - It's Christmas

Irish collective Band of Gaels aren't messing about on 'It's Christmas', pulling out all the stops on this simple but effective track. An Americana tinged melody is scattered with bells, lyrics that mention the season, presents, trees, snow and the key message; it's Christmas. This is a sweet, honest and uncomplicated track that will reaffirm your faith in humanity.


Will Wilde - Christmas Eve Blues (VizzTone 
Records)

What says Christmas more than a man with a goatee, muscles for days and a holster belt for his selection of harmonicas? Well, Will Wilde brings all three and more on his offering 'Christmas Eve Blues' which is, as you might expect, a harmonica infused blues jam form a man who looks like a cross between Shaggy from Scooby-Doo and a lumberjack. For anyone who's been dumped during the festive season, however, this one will hit the spot and speak to the Grinch within you. 


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Tora Woloshin - Merry Holidays

Having been chewed up and spat out by the American X-Factor, Tora Woloshin has still managed to retain some sense of festive wonder on new single 'Merry Holidays'. A perky, poppy melody is underpinned with a little 80s funk bass line and Woloshin's vocal which is sweet and smooth in equal measure. I have to say though, 'Merry Holidays' does sound like the kind of title you'd come up with if you wanted to appeal to as broad a demographic as possible so it loses a little Christmas sparkle for that. 


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Emily Fern - Christmas Dream 

In some sort of fever dream reimagining of the three kings, Emily Fern has teamed up with Bez (Happy Mondays) and Phil Hartnoll (Orbital) to record new festive song 'Christmas Dream'. They also have the London Symphony Orchestra behind them which makes this a lush and emotive melody with strong Ellie Goulding vibes in the vocals and a real sense that this could be used on the West End or in the soundtrack of holiday movie. 


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Roland Gift - Everybody Knows It's Christmas (London Records)

With a voice that everyone instantly recognises, Roland Gift steps up to the plate with his Christmas song, 'Everybody Knows It's Christmas'. This one is a little bit soul, a little bit rock'n'roll and very much the kind of song that you will sing with your arms around your best mate in the pub on Christmas eve. Oh, and just to seal the deal, there are some chimes in there as well - what more could you ask for? 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/RolandGift.Tour

April Brucker - Merry Christmas, I'm So Glad I Didn't Marry You

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a ventriloquist so here's April Brucker and her intriguingly titled 'Merry Christmas, I'm So Glad I Didn't Marry You'. This one certainly wins the prize for the weirdest and probably least musical release of the year - neither ventriloquist nor dummy can hold a tune - but there is a mention of a waffle house and crypto currency so...that's something. 

More information:  www.AprilBrucker.TV

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Nita Nielsen - One World Together (Cool Hats  Music)

The 80s disco vibes of this track from Nita Nielsen mix with a strong hint of Eurovision pop to create the genuinely charming 'One World Together'. The spirit of this one is very much about the true meaning of Christmas and a message of unity in peace rather than being divided in hate and that must be applauded. Also, the Boney M vibes are strong which, I can assure you, is a big plus for me. 

More information: https://www.instagram.com/artpop_pro/#

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The Static Dive - A Very Gen X Christmas (HOS 
Records)

The Static Dive is the name that Bob Smith goes by to deliver his yuletide tuneage, 'A Very Gen X Christmas'. Elements of Eels, Weezer and Ben Folds all mingle with some reference points including MTV, Ataris and Vans, set to a plodding piano melody and some listlessly jingled bells. It's a fairly flat tune, however, which I guess speaks to the stereotype of Gen X being cynical but it doesn't move me and I'm Gen X so, yeah, there's that. 

More information: https://staticdive.com/

Sofia Talvik - Let Peace Be The Song

Swedish artist Sofia Talvik has put together a whole album of Christmas songs but the opening and focus track is the simply beautiful 'Let Peace Be The Song'. With a strong flavour of traditional folk and a beautiful voice that sits between frosty sweetness and the strength of protest, this song is a powerful letter to Santa imploring him to stop making toys and bring peace to the planet. Genuinely gorgeous and with a great message too. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/sofiatalvikmusic


Bryan Adams & Friends - California Christmas

Gravelly voiced Canadian Bryan Adams has pulled on his reddest trousers for his offering, 'California Christmas', which involves a whole host of musical friends. There's a definite Christmas hit structure but blended with breezy guitars and some Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies to remind you that a sunny beach can be just as festive as a snowy scene (I mean, it's not, but I applaud the valiant effort). 


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The Darkness - Mistletoe & Wine


Despite having a Christmas banger of their very own, the Darkness have seen fit to rock up the Cliff Richard classic 'Mistletoe & Wine' and, well, it works. It really works. Justin Hawkins' soft vocals draw you into the fireside where he's, presumably, reclining in a festive onesie open to the crotch. Then the guitars hit, the rhythm section pop louder than a Christmas cracker next to your ear and the crescendo is worthy of any Christmas party. Peachy. 


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Ash - Santa Clause Is Coming To Town

What else would you expect from Ash taking on a Christmas classic but a sped up, punked up, energy infused version? 'Santa Clause Is Coming To Town' is given the flying-V treatment but Tim Wheeler's trademark vocal hanging on to the lyrics like Santa gripping the reins of a runaway Rudolph. Throw in some festive bells, a video with Santa being sick in a bin and a real sense of giddy excitement and you've got yourself a banger. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/ash

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Forge Hounds - A Merry Jingle

Channelling the Ramones sound and the Foo Fighters sense of fun, Forge Hounds bring 'A Merry Jingle' to the party and this is the kind of song that can make a party. Rock'n'roll guitars provide the backdrop to a medley of classic Christmas sing-a-longs delivered with the perfect balance of sneer, attitude, and begrudging festive fun. If a band played this in a bar at any point in December, you could guarantee dancing, singing, and probably a snog with someone dressed as an elf. Great fun. 



Shy New World - Bridget Jones


Grungey duo Shy New World take a leaf out of the Waitresses playbook by looking at Christmas through the eyes of someone not necessarily full of the joys of the season. 'Bridget Jones' is more about realising that spending Christmas alone isn't perhaps the best option and less about the rom-com to end all rom-coms. Fans of the Lovely Eggs and the Raincoats will enjoy this. Fans of Christmas pop are less likely to get on board. 



The Assist - Divorced For Christmas

Now, I don't want to say that I've saved the best until last but I think I might well have done. Those likely lads from the Assist have only gone and penned 'Divorced For Christmas' which sounds like a mash up of Lily Allen, Squeeze and Reverend & the Makers but with a definite Midlands twang. It is musical story telling at it's best with guitar licks, a Pogues-esque sense of heartbreak vs forgiveness and the angel on the tree is the guest vocals of Rhianna Keane meaning there's something for everyone in this song. Altogether now, "It's Christmas time, so drink a little more wine, I'm thinking back to when you were mine, oh come on baby it's Christmas time". It's a future classic. There, I said it. 


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